If you’re in the Phoenix area and you’re wondering how you can help as SNAP benefits freeze, we’ve compiled a list of resources who are ready to stretch your funds further to support our community. If you’re unable to support them monetarily, they also need extra hands as their workloads increase.
Donate funds to food banks
Food banks are specialized organizations that know how to make the maximum impact of every dollar and item donated. These are the food banks that most news outlets are sending our communities to, so they’ll see a higher demand than normal. The quickest, most effective way to help right now is to financially support the organizations that are going to experience the biggest influx of need.
Arizona:
- St. Mary’s Food Bank
- United Food Bank
- East Mesa Food Bank
- Honor Health Desert Mission Food Bank
- Phoenix Rescue Mission
- Valley View Community Food Bank
National:
Top items most food banks need more of
You can donate unused and unopened items instead of giving money. These are the most requested items at most food banks:
- Peanut butter
- Canned proteins
- Canned beans
- Pasta & Pasta sauce
- Rice
- Pantry staples (flour, sugar, condiments)
- Canned vegetables
- Cooking essentials (spices, oils, herbs)
- Baby formula
- Baby food
Grab lunch at local spots donating meals
There are passive ways to help support our community, as well. When you go to grab lunch, consider one of the amazing small businesses offering meals to anyone who lost their SNAP benefits to make sure they keep money coming in.
While you’re there, leave some cash, or ask if you can pay for a free meal for someone else. Some of these spots are offering pay-it-forward options and running food drives, too!
Donate your time and hands
If you don’t have the funds to spare, time and hands are essential to keeping our community fed. Food banks and food drives will need volunteers to help as demand soars. All of the food banks listed need our help.
Some of our team’s favorite places to volunteer:
- Borderlands Produce Rescue
- Feed My Starving Children
- The Burnidge Soup Kitchen
- St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room
Mutual aid organizations
Food banks are not enough to replace SNAP. This kind of need far outpaces what these organizations can keep up with. It’s up to us to look out for one another. Following mutual aid accounts is a great way to stay connected with what’s needed and ways to help directly.
Consider donating what you don’t need to community fridges, financially supporting their work and their many partners, and giving directly to folks in your community who you know need help.
Invite people to your table. Cook for your community. Pay attention and show up.
Follow these accounts and watch for needs you can fill:
